Observer Ethical Awards 2012 | The Guardianhttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/observer-ethical-awards-2012
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How do I get…http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2012/jun/03/how-get-ethical-gold-star
My ethical gold star?<p>This may be an awards issue, but we don't usually approve of such transactional behaviour; in fact, our general rule is that those who ask for a gong are sent smartly on their way. Virtue, as I'm sure you realise, is its own reward.</p><p>However, it's true to say that we all need a little recognition from time to time. The problem here is: what if you haven't been very good? Time, we think, for a crash course in smartening up your act – and some solutions that are both speedy and highly visible.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2012/jun/03/how-get-ethical-gold-star">Continue reading...</a>Observer Ethical Awards 2012Life and styleEthical and green livingSat, 02 Jun 2012 23:07:08 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2012/jun/03/how-get-ethical-gold-starJaime Turner/ObserverGreen cup: how will you be winning your ethical kudos? Illustration: Jaime Turner for the ObserverAlex Clark2012-06-02T23:07:08ZMicrohydro energy: reinventing the wheelhttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/jun/03/microhydro-hydro-mills-electricity-wales
Over the past three years the number of "microhydro" applications has quadrupled, letting more people than ever generate and sell their own electricity. It's a vast and untapped natural resource – the only obstacle in its way, as Catherine Deveney discovers, is government red tape<p>Dreifa Mills sits in a Welsh valley near Cwm Morgan, hidden up a narrow lane where the faint rush of river mingles with the rustle of foliage. So ensconced is the mill in the landscape that when owner Mike Godsell first saw it in 1978, it looked as if it was being eaten by woodland. Green moss crept over the red bricks and branches spread across the roof, while the 20ft water wheel stood motionless, like a stopped clock. &quot;I saw this place and thought: 'It's rotting away and nobody seems to care.' But I cared.&quot;</p><p>It took 10 years to make the Dreifa Mills wheel turn again. The electricity powers Godsell's workshop, where he saws logs from his own woodland to fuel the mill's heating system. He followed his green dream long before the current explosion of interest in renewable energy, when the story of UK hydro was largely confined to the big dam schemes in Scotland developed throughout the 1950s.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/jun/03/microhydro-hydro-mills-electricity-wales">Continue reading...</a>Observer Ethical Awards 2012Ethical and green livingEnvironmentFishingWaterWalesScotlandSat, 02 Jun 2012 23:07:06 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/jun/03/microhydro-hydro-mills-electricity-walesMurdo Macleod/ObserverWheel of fortune: Mike Godsell at Dreifa Mills in Carmarthenshire. Before he took over the mill, the wheel had not turned for more than half a century. Photograph: Murdo Macleod for the ObserverMurdo Macleod/ObserverWheel of fortune: Mike Godsell at Dreifa Mills in Carmarthenshire. Before he took over the mill, the wheel had not turned for more than half a century. Photograph: Murdo Macleod for the ObserverCatherine Deveney2012-06-02T23:07:06ZLiving in green houseshttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/jun/03/interiors-green-recycled-upcycled-homeware
Homeware is one area where we can flex our ethical muscles. If it's recycled, upcycled or handmade in the developing world for a decent wage, give it house room, says Caroline Roux<p>Time was that to be sure of making a truly ethical home purchase you had to consult the Traidcraft catalogue and pick out something whose virtuousness was rather more outstanding than its design. But sustainability and ethical sourcing have become, if not standard, at least easier to find on the high street and in the world of high design.</p><p>Muji, for example, has a good sprinkling of conscience-salving products made of recycled material, while John Lewis's largest mattress supplier isn't a vast factory churning out product in Asia, but Spink &amp;&nbsp;Edgar, based in Beeston near Leeds. Even Traidcraft itself has upped its game. A&nbsp;hogla (a type of natural fibre) picnic basket from Bangladesh (above), acacia plates from the Philippines and Bolivian wine glasses made from recycled glass all deserve house room.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/jun/03/interiors-green-recycled-upcycled-homeware">Continue reading...</a>Observer Ethical Awards 2012Ethical and green livingDesignInteriorsHomesEnvironmentLife and styleSat, 02 Jun 2012 23:07:05 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/jun/03/interiors-green-recycled-upcycled-homewarePR"The flaws add something to the end product": Hilary Anderson of Traidcraft. Above: a hogla (or natural fibre) picnic basket from Bangladesh.PR"The flaws add something to the end product": Hilary Anderson of Traidcraft. Above: a hogla (or natural fibre) picnic basket from Bangladesh.Caroline Roux2012-06-02T23:07:05ZLauren Laverne: Do you have it in green?http://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2012/jun/03/lauren-laverne-eco-environment-green
When you want to make a sartorial statement about the environment, make sure you do it in style<p>So. Here we are, our Ethical Issue. Which means I must write about &quot;ethical fashion&quot; – a tricky term. Even if you don't consider it a&nbsp;contradiction in terms, you're faced with a poser: which comes first, the ethics or the fashion? Both options seem an unhappy compromise.</p><p>What really needs to happen is an evolution of the phrase, and therefore the idea, from &quot;ethical fashion&quot; to &quot;ethical and fashion&quot;. A&nbsp;subtle change, but an important one. Because whereas &quot;ethical fashion&quot; is a clunky oxymoron, &quot;ethical and fashion&quot; is an elegant hendiadys: a single, complex idea expressed by a conjunction of words that shouldn't really go together but&nbsp;somehow do. (Shakespeare was fond of a hendiadys, such as Macbeth's memorable &quot;sound and fury&quot;, but everyday phrases like &quot;law and order&quot; and &quot;crime and punishment&quot; are also neat examples&nbsp;of the form.) &quot;Ethical and fashion&quot; allows the ascetic and the aesthetic to cohabit harmoniously within the same phrase, which seems only fair, since surely a person who is interested in beautiful things would want to make sure they don't make the world an uglier place?</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2012/jun/03/lauren-laverne-eco-environment-green">Continue reading...</a>Observer Ethical Awards 2012Ethical and green livingEnvironmentFashionLife and styleSat, 02 Jun 2012 23:07:04 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2012/jun/03/lauren-laverne-eco-environment-greenPREthical clothes. Enlarge for details.PR(clockwise from top left) Maia dress £630, Ada Zanditon (palette-london.com) Jacket £335, Christopher Raeburn (harveynichols.com) Beads bracelet £12, People Tree (peopletree.co.uk) Heels £134, Beyond Skin (beyondskin.co.uk) Midi dress £40, Asos Africa (asos.com) Bracelet £10, Made (made.uk.com) Wedge £172, Beyond Skin (beyondskin.co.uk) Mini dress £45, Zakee Shariff for People Tree (peopletree.co.uk) Bowtie £110, Marwood (darkroomlondon.com) Vera dress £38.50, Traid (traidremade.com)Lauren Laverne2012-06-02T23:07:04ZThe 2012 winners of the Observer Ethical Awards in association with Ecoverhttp://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2012/jun/03/observer-ethical-awards-winners-2012
Welcome to the seventh Observer Ethical Awards. Here we introduce this year's winners – from a&nbsp;windmill pioneer to a lifelong friend of chimpanzees, and a&nbsp;pair of filmmakers to a class of green-minded children<p>Dale Vince knows the power of windmills. The founder and CEO of energy company Ecotricity lived off-grid for a decade before starting the company, in a trailer he'd built himself on top of a hill near Stroud. A self-confessed &quot;vegan hippy traveller&quot;, he spent a decade of summers driving himself to festivals and winters building trailers from scrap, always including a small windmill on the roof so he could recharge batteries. &quot;It was a very self-reliant lifestyle. You don't have a lot of money, but you do have time,&quot; says Vince.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2012/jun/03/observer-ethical-awards-winners-2012">Continue reading...</a>EnvironmentObserver Ethical Awards 2012Sat, 02 Jun 2012 23:05:20 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2012/jun/03/observer-ethical-awards-winners-2012Richard Saker/ObserverWinds of change: Dale Vince OBE, outspoken owner of Ecotricity and green-energy champion. Photograph: Richard Saker for the ObserverRichard Saker/ObserverWinds of change: Dale Vince OBE, outspoken owner of Ecotricity and green-energy champion. Photograph: Richard Saker for the ObserverTim Adams, Megan Conner, Priya Elan, Emma John and Shahesta Shaitly2012-06-02T23:05:20ZJarvis Cocker: the iceman comethhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/jun/02/jarvis-cocker-arctic-oil-environment
In his music, Jarvis Cocker has always been a social commentator. Now he's become an agitator. Lucy Siegle talks to the Arctic's new defender about the oil hunt that threatens the world, the joys of "rascality" – and whether he regrets mooning Michael Jackson<p>Jarvis Cocker sits with unblinking patience as syringes of salt and sugar are applied to his beard and hair and he is transformed into a&nbsp;frosted Arctic explorer. He blinks through his famous glasses and feigns shivering for the photographer. It's the kind of good nature that we've all come to expect of Jarvis, and that's made him a &quot;national treasure&quot;. &quot;It's good that I managed to hoodwink so many people,&quot; he says. &quot;I am actually not that nice a person.&quot;</p><p>I smile indulgently, but actually I don't believe him. Can he give an example of a&nbsp;recent tantrum or piece of bad behaviour? &quot;Yes, Brixton this month. Steve [Mackey], our bass player, shouted at me during a Pulp gig because I was nasty to Mark [Webber], the guitarist, on stage. He told me off. He was right to. He said: 'You're the one with the microphone so nobody else can answer back.' I&nbsp;blamed it on these steroids I'd been taking for a lung problem. I'm a nasty piece of work.&quot;</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/jun/02/jarvis-cocker-arctic-oil-environment">Continue reading...</a>Jarvis CockerObserver Ethical Awards 2012Ethical and green livingArcticOilEnvironmentClimate changeGreenpeaceGreen politicsMusicEnergyFossil fuelsActivismWorld newsSat, 02 Jun 2012 19:53:37 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/jun/02/jarvis-cocker-arctic-oil-environmentGary Salter/Observer"Not that I’m a massive expert, but when I heard that they wanted to dig up the Arctic, I thought: hold on a minute – that’s not good": Jarvis Cocker, softly spoken ambassador for the environment. Photograph: Gary Salter for the ObserverGary Salter/Observer"Not that I’m a massive expert, but when I heard that they wanted to dig up the Arctic, I thought: hold on a minute – that’s not good": Jarvis Cocker, softly spoken ambassador for the environment. Photograph: Gary Salter for the ObserverLucy Siegle2012-06-02T19:53:37ZThe Observer Ethical Awards 2012 – videohttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/video/2012/may/31/observer-ethical-awards-2012-video
The Observer's ethical award ceremony featured a live performance by KT Tunstall. This is the seventh year for the awards that celebrate grass roots initiatives, uncompromising ecological campaigns and the most innovative ethical brainwaves and activism for sustainability. Among those recognised were Ecotricity and Dartford Football Club <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/video/2012/may/31/observer-ethical-awards-2012-video">Continue reading...</a>Observer Ethical Awards 2012EnvironmentAwards and prizesThu, 31 May 2012 15:40:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/video/2012/may/31/observer-ethical-awards-2012-videoguardian.co.uk/guardian.co.ukimage from The Observer Ethical Awards 2012 Photograph: guardian.co.ukLucy Siegle and Noah Payne-Frank2012-05-31T15:40:00ZObserver Ethical awards winners 2012 galleryhttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2012/may/31/photos-from-the-2012-observer-ethical-awards
Photos of the 2012 winners and the awards ceremony that took place at St Pancras Renaissance Hotel <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2012/may/31/photos-from-the-2012-observer-ethical-awards">Continue reading...</a>Observer Ethical Awards 2012Thu, 31 May 2012 15:08:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2012/may/31/photos-from-the-2012-observer-ethical-awardsGuardianAwards judge Ben FogleGuardian Staff2012-05-31T15:08:00ZEthical Kids award winners Fact Fashionhttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/video/2012/may/30/kids-winners-fact-fashion
Fact Fashion, winners of the Ecover Ethical Kids Challenge, explain their innovative fashion campaign <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/video/2012/may/30/kids-winners-fact-fashion">Continue reading...</a>Observer Ethical Awards 2012Wed, 30 May 2012 20:00:02 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/video/2012/may/30/kids-winners-fact-fashionPRObserver ethical awars 2012: Kids winnersGuardian Staff2012-05-30T20:00:02ZObserver Ethical awards winners 2012http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/may/30/winners
Renowned primatologist Jane Goodall honoured with the lifetime achievement award at the 2012 Observer Ethical Awards<p>The winners of the 2012 <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/observer-ethical-awards-2012">Observer Ethical Awards</a>, in association with Ecover, were announced at a ceremony on 30 May in London hosted by the Observer's ethical living correspondent and TV presenter, Lucy Siegle, alongside the awards celebrity judges and sponsors.</p><p>At the awards, renowned primatologist Jane Goodall was honoured with The Observer's lifetime achievement award. The judges recognised her extraordinary contribution to the development of our understanding of the natural world, particularly broadening our knowledge of the habits of chimpanzees, her enduring role in promoting social justice and acting as an advocate for environmental protection. </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/may/30/winners">Continue reading...</a>Observer Ethical Awards 2012Wed, 30 May 2012 20:00:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/may/30/winnersGuardian Staff2012-05-30T20:00:01ZThe Judges 2012 videohttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/video/2012/may/30/the-judges-2012
Find out more from the Observer Ethical Awards expert judging panel <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/video/2012/may/30/the-judges-2012">Continue reading...</a>Observer Ethical Awards 2012Wed, 30 May 2012 20:00:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/video/2012/may/30/the-judges-2012PRObserver ethical awars 2012: JudgesGuardian Staff2012-05-30T20:00:01ZJane Goodall honoured at Observer Ethical Awards 2012http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/may/30/jane-goodall-observer-ethical-awards
Primatologist receives lifetime achievement award, and says she would like to be known for her work with youth movement too<p>Dame Jane Goodall will always be celebrated for her 45-year study of chimpanzee social and family life, her passion for Africa and her ceaseless campaigning for animals and the environment. But the world's foremost primatologist, who went to Tanzania as a young woman in 1960 and never totally left, told the Guardian she wanted to be known just as much for the youth movement she set up in 1991.</p><p>&quot;Wherever I go, I meet people with very little hope or future, so they become angry or apathetic&quot;, she says. &quot;The idea of <a href="http://www.rootsandshoots.org/" title="">Roots &amp; Shoots</a> is to give people hope. The children decide what they are passionate about and then they volunteer to work for people, animals and the environment.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/may/30/jane-goodall-observer-ethical-awards">Continue reading...</a>Observer Ethical Awards 2012EnvironmentJane GoodallSciencePrimatologyAfricaWorld newsWed, 30 May 2012 19:00:09 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/may/30/jane-goodall-observer-ethical-awardsFreek Van Asperen/AFP/Getty ImagesJane Goodall could not receive the award in person because she spends much of the year on the road. Photograph: Freek Van Asperen/AFP/Getty ImagesFreek Van Asperen/AFP/Getty ImagesBritish Primatologist Jane Goodall visits the Gaia Zoo in Kerkrade, on May 18, 2012. Photograph: Freek Van Asperen/AFP/Getty ImagesJohn Vidal2012-05-30T19:00:09ZObserver Ethical awards 2012: Shortlisthttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/may/09/observer-ethical-awards-shortlist-2012
<strong>In association with Ecover</strong><br />Jamie Oliver, Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall, Ecotricity, Riverford shortlisted in this year's Observer Ethical Awards.<br /><br />Local initiatives Fact Fashion, Dartford Football Club and Wired Aerial Theatre also feature<p>The Observer has announced the shortlist for its annual ethical awards. The shortlist includes celebrity chef, Jamie Oliver; campaigner and chef, Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall; eco energy company, Ecotricity; and fruit and veg delivery scheme, Riverford.&nbsp;</p><p>Local initiatives also featured heavily in the list with projects as varied as a local eco football stadium, Dartford Football Club, to a Liverpool based wired aerial theatre production, As The World Tipped, which highlights the issues of climate change through film and performance.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/may/09/observer-ethical-awards-shortlist-2012">Continue reading...</a>Observer Ethical Awards 2012Wed, 09 May 2012 08:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/may/09/observer-ethical-awards-shortlist-2012Guardian Staff2012-05-09T08:00:00ZBaroness Lola Young, Ambassador for the Ethical Fashion Forum and MADE-BYhttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/mar/27/baroness-lola-young
Observer Ethical awards 2012 judge<p>After an acting career in theatre and television, Lola Young became an arts administrator, later moving on to become professor of Cultural Studies at Middlesex University, a writer, cultural critic, public speaker and broadcaster. After a period as project director leading a major initiative at the Black Cultural Archives, Lola subsequently became Head of Culture at the Greater London Authority. She currently advises arts and cultural agencies and organisations on policy, diversity, leadership and strategic planning and continues to write. Lola has sat on the Boards of several national cultural organisations including the South Bank Centre, the Royal National Theatre, the Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts, and The National Archives. She has been involved in a number of judging panels, including Chairing the Orange Prize for Literature, the Caine Prize for African Literature and the Art Fund Prize.&nbsp;1 A member of the House of Lords since 2004, Baroness Young was recently appointed to the Lords' European Union Select Committee, and as Chair of its Social Policies and Consumer Protection sub-committee. Lola is an Independent Cross Bench peer and has been involved in campaigns criminalizing and combating modern forms of enslavement. As an Ambassador for the Ethical Fashion Forum and MADE-BY, Lola uses her political position to promote ethical, sustainable fashion.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/mar/27/baroness-lola-young">Continue reading...</a>Observer Ethical Awards 2012Tue, 27 Mar 2012 13:25:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/mar/27/baroness-lola-youngPRObserver Ethical awards 2012 judge Baroness Lola HornseyGuardian Staff2012-03-27T13:25:00ZBudding pioneers with bright ideashttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/mar/02/budding-pioneers-with-bright-ideas
<p>Kids today, we are often told, are a feral bunch. When they're not causing havoc on the nation's high streets, the chances are they're locked in their bedrooms. Where previous generations enjoyed football with jumpers for goalposts, the youth of today indulge in online shoot-em-ups and text each other in barely legible code. </p><p>So you'd believe if you listened to some of the more alarmist corners of the press anyway. The Observer Ethical Awards, now in their seventh year, have a different story to tell. Every year we are inundated with projects and campaigns which show the passion, awareness and energy of a nation of ethical kids. The awards, supported by Ecover, have an incredible track record of uncovering some truly inspirational young people who are learning how to create their own vision of a more ethical world. From schools with an evangelical zeal to convert mums and dads to greener ways, through to teenage entrepreneurs who saw the cash benefits of a low carbon approach, we believe that the success of today's ethical kids are a powerful counterweight to their traditional bad press. </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/mar/02/budding-pioneers-with-bright-ideas">Continue reading...</a>Observer Ethical Awards 2012Fri, 02 Mar 2012 14:30:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/mar/02/budding-pioneers-with-bright-ideasGuardian Staff2012-03-02T14:30:00ZSeize the dayhttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/feb/19/lucy-siegle-observer-ethical-awards
The annual Observer Ethical Awards are up and running<p>Recently I took delivery of a&nbsp;parcel which yielded bits of wood and a bag of screws. Then I saw the branded mark: &quot;Savy BOB Box&quot;. It was an innovative nesting box for bats and birds made by the winners of last year's Ethical Kids award, from Savio Salesian College in Merseyside. This is, I believe, the first flat-packed nature conservancy product spawned by the <em>Observer</em> Ethical Awards, and I&nbsp;couldn't be more proud.</p><p>&quot;We couldn't have grown this project without winning the award,&quot; says Jack, a leading light in the project (see his film on entering this year's award at <a href="http://guardian.co.uk/environment/series/ethical-awards-kids-2012" title="">guardian.co.uk/environment/series/ethical-awards-kids-2012</a>).</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/feb/19/lucy-siegle-observer-ethical-awards">Continue reading...</a>Observer Ethical Awards 2012Ethical and green livingEnvironmentLife and styleSun, 19 Feb 2012 00:08:25 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/feb/19/lucy-siegle-observer-ethical-awardsLucy Siegle2012-02-19T00:08:25ZObserver Ethical awards sponsors National Gridhttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/video/2012/jan/20/observer-ethical-awards-sponsor-national-grid
A video from Observer Ethical awards sponsors National Grid <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/video/2012/jan/20/observer-ethical-awards-sponsor-national-grid">Continue reading...</a>Observer Ethical Awards 2012Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:44:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/video/2012/jan/20/observer-ethical-awards-sponsor-national-gridguardian.co.ukGuardian Staff2012-01-20T15:44:00ZMartine wrighthttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/jan/18/martine-wright
Observer Ethical awards 2012 judge<p>Martine Wright was born in London and studied psychology and advertising before embarking on a career in sales and marketing. Then on 07/07/2005 on the way to work as an international marketing manager she got on the circle line, and was sat just 4 foot away from one of the suicide bombers that hit London that morning. Being the most injured survivor she was the last to be rescued and lost both her legs above the knee, lost 80% of her blood and was revived several times. Since then she has grabbed every opportunity and has learnt to fly, ski , jumped out of a plane at 10,000 ft, got married to her husband Nick and had her son Oscar. Over the last 2 years she has been training hard as part of the Great Britain sitting volleyball team hoping to compete in the London 2012 paralympics. She heavily campaigned for better compensation for the 07/07 victims and their families, been an ambassador for disability sport and is also a guest speaker including taking part in the Observers TEDx conference last year.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/jan/18/martine-wright">Continue reading...</a>Observer Ethical Awards 2012Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:10:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/jan/18/martine-wrightPRObserver Ethical awards 2012 Martine WrightGuardian Staff2012-01-18T12:10:00ZInvasive non-native species: attack of the alienshttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/jan/15/invasive-non-native-species-extinction
From green parakeets to grey squirrels, and tree fungi to water weeds, invasive non-native species are driving many British plants and animals to the brink of extinction<br /><br /><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/gallery/2012/jan/15/citizen-scientist-invasive-species-pictures">Send us your sightings</a><p>There is a war going on in the parks, gardens, ponds, rivers and greenhouses of Britain. At stake is the future of the country's native flora and fauna. This time it's not just under threat from the usual foes – lorry parks and a tendency to pave over front gardens – but from the 2,000-plus non-native species of animals and plants that are estimated to have found their way here.</p><p>Not all are deadly invaders. Some non- natives, such as the horse chestnut (origin Asia), even become pillars of the community; but some can wreak havoc, crowding out precious native species, spreading parasites, stealing food sources and blanketing waterways, choking the life out of native aquatic plants with their tendrils.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/jan/15/invasive-non-native-species-extinction">Continue reading...</a>Invasive speciesObserver Ethical Awards 2012Endangered speciesEnvironmentUK newsAnimalsWorld newsSun, 15 Jan 2012 00:07:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/jan/15/invasive-non-native-species-extinctionGreen Planet Photography/Alamy"Grey squirrels are loved and detested in equal measure": the species has caused the extinction of red squirrels across much of Britain. Photograph: Green Planet Photography/AlamyGreen Planet Photography/Alamy"Grey squirrels are loved and detested in equal measure": the species has caused the extinction of red squirrels across much of Britain. Photograph: Green Planet Photography/AlamyLucy Siegle2012-01-15T00:07:00ZObserver Ethical Awards 2012: pioneers with bright ideashttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/jan/15/observer-ethical-awards-2012
Whether you're a green-fingered entrepreneur or a schoolchild with an ethical brainwave, this is your chance to tell us about it.<p>Today we proudly launch the 2012 <em>Observer</em> Ethical Awards in association with Ecover (<a href="http://observer.co.uk/ethicalawards" title="">observer.co.uk/ethicalawards</a>). This is our seventh successive year celebrating the projects, ideas, campaigns and activists making sustainable change a reality. Each year you vote in your thousands. Since our launch we've been able to rely on a&nbsp;remarkable panel of international experts and well-known names with a passion for social and environmental justice, among them Colin and Livia Firth, Deborah Meaden and Ben Okri, who head up this year's fantastic panel, awaiting your entries.</p><p>This year we launch two exciting new categories. The arts and culture category acknowledges the major role played by the arts in ecological and social-justice innovation, from the greening of venues and music festivals to the theatrical treatments of the climate-change debate. And as it's Olympic year, we're also including a sports category, to celebrate people and companies who have made an ethical difference on the sports field – whether it's a sports personality whose campaigning spirit you admire, or a venue that should win gold for sustainability.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/jan/15/observer-ethical-awards-2012">Continue reading...</a>Observer Ethical Awards 2012Ethical and green livingEnvironmentSun, 15 Jan 2012 00:05:08 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/jan/15/observer-ethical-awards-2012Pascal Le Segretain/Getty ImagesGoing green on the red carpet: Colin and Livia Firth are once again on the panel of judges for this year's Observer Ethical Awards. Photograph: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty ImagesPascal Le Segretain/Getty ImagesGoing green on the red carpet: Colin and Livia Firth are once again on the panel of judges for this year's Observer Ethical Awards. Photograph: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty ImagesLucy Siegle2012-01-15T00:05:08Z